Extended telemental health flexibilities ‘still far from an ideal outcome’
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Congress recently extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities that waive a requirement for an in-person visit before a patient can receive mental health services via telehealth.
As part of the American Relief Act, which President Joe Biden signed on Dec. 21, this flexibility, among others, is extended for Medicare beneficiaries through the end of March, according to a press release from the American Psychiatric Association.
The flexibilities were first implemented at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and were “temporarily extended several times,” the release said. Research indicates these actions helped patients with substance use disorder remain on treatment and reduced the risk for overdose during the pandemic.
While the temporary extension is encouraging, Kyle Zebley, senior vice president of public policy at the American Telemedicine Association, said in a press release that “this is still far from an ideal outcome.”
“We will continue to foster positive and productive collaboration with Congress and the White House, and expect even more work ahead, with heightened urgency, in the coming months with a new administration and Congress to ensure that high-quality patient care is uninterrupted,” Zebley said.
The Medicare telehealth extension follows another temporary extension announced in November by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and HHS that allows qualified health care professionals to continue prescribing certain controlled medications via telehealth, including audio-only encounters, through the end of 2025. These flexibilities apply to schedule II through V controlled medications, such as FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder.
It is the third time these flexibilities were extended, the APA release said. The DEA and HHS are currently developing final telehealth regulations.
Reference:
- New continuing resolution passes, keeps some telehealth flexibilities alive. https://www.americantelemed.org/press-releases/new-continuing-resolution-passes-keeps-some-telehealth-flexibilities-alive/. Published Dec. 21, 2024. Accessed Jan. 7, 2025.